Worcester readies for presidential motorcade

Tuesday

Jun 10, 2014 at 6:00 AMJun 10, 2014 at 11:27 AM

By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Cliff Wilson looked out his storefront window on Pleasant Street and wondered if he'll be able to receive deliveries Wednesday — the day President Barack Obama and his motorcade are expected to pass by.

“I want to put a sign out there: Free frame for U.S. presidents today only,” said Mr. Wilson, owner of Framed in Tatnuck Square. “He's the only one who might be a customer that day.”

With Air Force One slated to arrive Wednesday, preparations for the 44th president were in high gear in Worcester Monday, with VIP's confirming their presence, rehearsal times locked down, and flight restrictions imposed.

Mr. Wilson and other business owners on Pleasant Street are being notified about parking restrictions being implemented ahead of Mr. Obama's afternoon arrival at Worcester Regional Airport.

Mr. Obama will be whisked to the DCU Center — likely via Pleasant Street — where he will deliver Worcester Technical High School's graduation speech.

The ceremony begins at 4 p.m.

Mr. Obama's time in the city will likely be brief. After delivering his commencement speech and greeting graduates, he is schedule to attend a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee event in the Boston area before returning to Worcester for the flight back to Washington, D.C.

President Clinton, during a 1998 visit to Worcester amidst the Monica S. Lewinsky scandal, lingered for several hours, including a 60-minute lunch at Scano's Bakery on Shrewsbury Street.

Flight restrictions around Worcester Regional Airport and other Massachusetts airports Wednesday were posted Monday. Mr. Obama's arrival at the hilltop airport is not open to the public but it is not expected to affect any commercial flights, officials said, including a 5 p.m. JetBlue departure for Orlando.

Gov. Deval L. Patrick will be with the president at the DCU Center. Sen. Elizabeth Warren expects to attend, as does U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester.

Mr. Wilson, whose shop is at 1099 Pleasant St., said he received a notice from the Police Department that bans curbside parking on Wednesday.

Pleasant Street from Sunny Hill Drive to Chandler Street will be closed through Wednesday. Pleasant Street in the area of the airport has been upgraded in recent days. City officials said the state paving project was planned before it was announced the president would visit the city.

State transportation officials said road construction along any chosen presidential travel routes will be suspended.

There will be road closings around the DCU Center. The truck tunnel at the Commercial Street garage will be closed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Commercial Street behind the DCU Center will be closed at that time.

Also closed Wednesday, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., will be Major Taylor Boulevard (from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to Foster Street) and Foster Street (from Major Taylor Boulevard to Commercial Street).

Access by pedestrians will not be affected. Also being allowed are emergency vehicles and motorists heading to the St. Vincent Hospital emergency room.

The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce expects no parking will be allowed on Pleasant Street for the entire day.

“There will be a number of road closures, some we know and can plan for, but others will be last-minute decisions made by his Secret Service and Worcester Police Department,” the chamber said in a news release. “We do not know the specific route; however, road closures on major thoroughfares between the airport and DCU Center are likely.”

Worcester police have been working with the U.S. Secret Service, to finalize the security detail for Mr. Obama's visit. More than 100 police personnel are expected to work the detail. The exact motorcade route has not been disclosed, but with notifications going to some Pleasant Street business owners, it's likely that the street will at least be part of the path.

Christine Coffey, manager of the Bushel 'N Peck at 643 Chandler St., said the business has not received a parking ban notice from police.

Ms. Coffey believes some newer customers over the past few days might be connected to the president's visit.

Well-dressed men with accents void of the Central Massachusetts tone have been ordering food there.

“They've been coming in for lunch,” she said. “I don't know if they are them (Secret Service) for sure, but I'm assuming they are.”

Babu Lukose, owner of City Mart near the Pleasant and Chandler streets intersection, said he received a parking ban notice. He might take a glance at the motorcade if he can.

It's not an everyday scene,” he said. “You see it only on the TV. Maybe he can come in for a water.”